Dorchester 02 reviews appraisals for district properties; sale or repurpose faces demo and zoning costs

The Dorchester 02 facilities committee reviewed appraisals for district-owned properties at its April 14, 2025, meeting and discussed next steps for sale or repurposing.

Staff reported a Bridal property appraisal of about $1,500,000 that included three houses and an appraisal of a separate property near a ball field at roughly $200,000. The presenter said the appraiser cautioned that costs to demolish buildings and remove leach fields could make development unprofitable. "He said his best recommendation would be to hire a commercial realtor come up in our minds or figure out a number we want for it listed and see what happens," staff reported.

Staff said the property’s current zoning is agricultural residential and that changing zoning could be difficult. An appraiser’s estimate mentioned a nominal value per acre in a best-case scenario: "his best guess is maybe $30,000 an acre out there. You have 11 acres," the presenter said. Staff also said they cannot relocate occupants of properties currently used for housing until they have funding and a repurposing plan in place.

Committee members asked whether the district should commission commercial brokerage or appraisal work; staff said a commercial listing appraisal would cost money and that staff would bring options back to the committee in the next couple months. No formal action was taken.

Ending: Staff will consider commercial-realtor outreach and return recommendations and timing to the facilities committee in future meetings.